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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Taxman

I must sound like a broken record, but another outstanding weather day to
report. Too bad I missed it all, at work
from 06:45 am to 6:45 pm. No worries, I
am an exempt employee and like 1/3 of my salary goes to taxes…

I read some stuff today that makes me wonder if the American people are
being duped into thinking that president Obama is more concerned with the
American taxpayer and the price of gasoline or on his election year agenda to
gain popularity at taxpayer expense.

Not one to get too political, and maybe I am talking out of my bunghole, but
what do you make of this ?

Obama
wants Congress to strengthen federal supervision of oil markets, increase
penalties for market manipulation and empower regulators to increase the amount
of money energy traders are required to put behind their transactions.

"We
can't afford a situation where some speculators can reap millions while
millions of American families get the short end of the stick," Obama said
at the White House.

The
plan is more likely to draw sharp election-year distinctions with Republicans
than have an immediate effect on prices at the pump. The measures seek to boost
spending for Wall Street enforcement at a time when congressional Republicans
are seeking to limit the reach of federal financial regulations.

The
president's $52 million proposal comes as Republicans have
been hammering Obama on his energy policies, recognizing the political cost of
high gas prices on the president. Obama's plan would turn the tables on
Republicans by taking aim at Wall Street's role in the oil price chain.”

Sue
cooked spaghetti for dinner tonight, and Kyle is still at the restaurant or his
trial run at bussing tables.

This day in history “With the world anxiously watching, Apollo 13, a U.S.
lunar spacecraft that suffered a severe malfunction on its journey to the moon,
safely returns to Earth.

On April 11, the third
manned lunar landing mission was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida,
carrying astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert, and Fred W. Haise. The
mission was headed for a landing on the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon.
However, two days into the mission, disaster struck 200,000 miles from Earth
when oxygen tank No. 2 blew up in the spacecraft. Swigert reported to mission
control on Earth, "Houston, we've had a problem here," and it was
discovered that the normal supply of oxygen, electricity, light, and water had
been disrupted. The landing mission was aborted, and the astronauts and
controllers on Earth scrambled to come up with emergency procedures. The
crippled spacecraft continued to the moon, circled it, and began a long, cold
journey back to Earth.

The astronauts and
mission control were faced with enormous logistical problems in stabilizing the
spacecraft and its air supply, as well as providing enough energy to the
damaged fuel cells to allow successful reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Navigation
was another problem, and Apollo 13's course was repeatedly corrected
with dramatic and untested maneuvers. On April 17, tragedy turned to triumph as
the Apollo 13 astronauts touched down safely in the Pacific Ocean..”

Speaking of coming back down to earth, the Apollo 13 mission was a true
testament to American ingenuity at a time when we still built things, and had
pride in made in America. I think 2012
will be a time in history that we look back at and see the start of new
era. At least I want to believe it will
be.

Instead of tax time being April 15th, it was moved to April 17th,
so all you procrastinators and holdouts, make sure you file your taxes. If you owe, wait till the last minute, if you
are getting a return, why did you wait.
If you’re not sure, file for that extension. Nothing is certain except death and taxes.

Glee is performing Bee Gees, and former Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb is in a
coma after contracting pneumonia, his family And friends keeping vigil at his
bedside. We can only hope that he gets
to see the show.

Keeping with the Beatles theme this week, we have to go with “The Taxman”

“Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman
If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.
Don't ask me what I want it for

If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.